ADR perspective mics

[vandahl]

Some ADR recordists will use main mics and perspective mics. At most local studios the common practice is to use just one mic and perspectives are done in the mix.

Do any of you use perspective mics, and if so can you tell me a little bit about how you place them, and how you use the 'perspective' tracks in your mixes? How common is multiple mic use in ADR nowadays?

[dr.sound]

We always shoot with both a Shotgun/Large Mike and a Lav at the same time each to it's own track.
Here is a shot of some ADR miking:
The Walt Disney Studios - Post Production Services - ADR Stage B VR and Specs

[santacore]

I think it's pretty common in Los Angeles to shoot a couple of mics, like Marti mentioned. This gives the mixers options when trying to match production.

[vandahl]

Originally Posted by santacore

I think it's pretty common in Los Angeles to shoot a couple of mics, like Marti mentioned. This gives the mixers options when trying to match production.

Thanks for the clarification, how about ambiences - do you mic those in stereo?

[Jfriah]

"it all depends"---the stock answer.

Yes, some ADR mixers will use mutiple mics. Lav, 'boom', distant, or even multiple at the same position. HOWEVER--- while multiple mics are great, they just need to be multi-track edited to fit.


And remember--if you're not experienced: don't mess too much with perspective. It is much worse to 'tie a mixer's hands'. Easier to EQ and add verb rather than try to get RID of room sound and correct off-mic perspective, etc.

For ambiences... sure, depending what they are, stereo works great. Traditionally, they'll be put in a multi-channel outlay in the mix, right?

Jeff

[mikevarela]

recording ambiances doesn't really have anything to do with the ADR process.

Ambiance/Backgrounds are usually recorded stereo using a few different techniques (x/y, MS, ORTF) and with some great (yet expensive) options coming out, sometimes they are recorded in 5.0 or quad)

Fx can be recorded in stereo, though Foley is mono.

These are conventions not rules

[celticrogues]

We always shoot with a boom (shotgun) mic and a lav mic as well - that has become pretty standard in ADR nowadays. When we're recording, we generally try to use the boom mic to match the perspective of the guide track.

There are some jobs we've done when the editor has requested a third, distance or perspective mic, so we'll add another mic to the setup, aimed away from the talent, so the recording sounds off mic. This lets the mixer blend to taste. The majority of what we do however is just the two mic setup.

Cheers!

-Mike

[vandahl]

Thanks folks, this gives me some 'perspective'. I mainly do animation and dubbing for foreign distribution, and so we end up using only one main mic for the whole show. I am curious about a couple of things before exhausting the issue:

How do you ladies and gents go about recording animation? That is, do you use several mics if you have more than two actors in the studio? Do you use iso booths? Do you use 'perspective' mics for animation, or is it all done in the mix? Thanks very much for your answers!


PS I should have said 'vocal ambiences' such as walla, specific to the show in question, but thanks anyways !

Originally Posted by mikevarela

recording ambiances doesn't really have anything to do with the ADR process.

[santacore]

Recording dialog for animation is very different in my opinion. Typically each actor would get their own mic. I personally don't use perspective mics, but I don't doubt that some mixers do. For the types of games/shows I work on, the mixer takes care of perspective effects. Isolation depends on the room, how many actors, and how they want to play off each other.

I like to record group walla in stereo, but it really depends on the size of the group, and the room. Each project has it's own unique set of needs.

[insomaniac]

Originally Posted by celticrogues

There are some jobs we've done when the editor has requested a third, distance or perspective mic, so we'll add another mic to the setup, aimed away from the talent, so the recording sounds off mic. This lets the mixer blend to taste. The majority of what we do however is just the two mic setup.

Wow, I may have to try that out next time. Do you use a shotgun or a large-diaphragm condenser for the distant mic?

[camus]

Originally Posted by vandahl

Some ADR recordists will use main mics and perspective mics. At most local studios the common practice is to use just one mic and perspectives are done in the mix.

Do any of you use perspective mics, and if so can you tell me a little bit about how you place them, and how you use the 'perspective' tracks in your mixes? How common is multiple mic use in ADR nowadays?

To do distant 'perspective' miking, you need a really good sounding room too. Most VO 'booths' sound boxy and awful when you distant mic. And there's no way to get rid of those horrid sounding early reflections later either.

[celticrogues]

Originally Posted by insomaniac

Wow, I may have to try that out next time. Do you use a shotgun or a large-diaphragm condenser for the distant mic?

We use another shotgun mic. It works quite well actually - and gives the mixer a lot of options later.

Cheers!

-Mike